Ireland's Parliament lashed by US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee over moves to recognise Palestinian state

Sky News AU

6 days ago

Ireland's Parliament looks set to formally recognize an independent Palestinian state in a move that would alienate Washington and Tel Aviv.
The bill, which is currently in pre-legislative scrutiny, would also seek to impose sanctions on Israeli settlers in the West Bank.
The move has angered the US, historically an ally of the Republic of Ireland.
Reacting on X, Republican Senator Lindsay Graham accused Ireland of seeking to isolate Israel economically.
He added 'I do not believe these efforts would be well received in the United States and they certainly would not go unnoticed.'
The strongest criticism came from US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, who posted: "Did the Irish fall into a vat of Guinness & propose something so stupid that it would be attributed to act of diplomatic intoxication? It will harm Arabs as much as Israelis. Sober up Ireland!'
Chair of the Jewish Representative Council of Ireland Maurice Cohen called the bill 'a performance of misguided effort' and declared 'it won't bring two states closer, but it might drive Jewish communities here in Ireland further into fear and isolation,' Cohen said.
Irish prime minister Micheál Martin said the measure was aimed at forcing an end to the war.
'This is one element of the government's approach to the devastating violence and the appalling humanitarian situation in Gaza and the West Bank,' Martin said in April.
The comments come as many allies of Israel have ramped up their criticism of the nation's government. Several countries, including Australia ,sanctioned Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich.